Pittsburgh Public Schools Adopt Menu Changes

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — With steam tables percolating and lunch ladies dishing up the menu, the 2012-2013 school year is well underway at Millones University Prep School.

“Grab another fruit,” a cafeteria worker urges a passing student.

This year, new and tougher Federal Nutrition Standards rule school lunches.

“It’s really just a matter of making sure that the menu items meet the guidelines, and they’re also favorites of the children,” says Curtistine Wakler, Director of Food Services for sixty Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The pizza is whole grain and the sauce has less salt. There are also deli and salad bars.

“Basically I try to make everything look appealing,” says Cafeteria Manager Gwen Reed. “That’s what’s going to get em’. If it looks good I want it.”

There are additional food service standards as well.

For example, there are age appropriate calorie limits, larger servings of fruits and vegetables, a wider variety of vegetables (including dark green, red, and orange), fat free or 1% milk options and more whole grains and less sodium options available.